Wrestlers Drop Tough-Fought Match To Pittsburgh
Panthers triumph despite five CSU wins.
PITTSBURGH – Cleveland State wrestlers tallied five wins against Eastern Wrestling League rival Pittsburgh, but the Panthers took advantage of a forfeit and a pair of pins to out-pace the Vikings, 24-17, Thursday night at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse.
The Panthers improved to 2-0 in the EWL, while CSU falls to 0-1 in their opening league match.
Freshman Joe Wornoff staked CSU to an early 4-0 advantage with a 12-3 major decision over Zach Bowman at 125. David Armstrong followed by opening up the 133 match with a strong effort, but a costly mistake allotted Panther Mike Ciotti a pin at 4:30.
Despite the deficit, the Vikings would not go quietly. Sophomore Ryan Hurley posted a strong 10-9 decision at 149 over No. 5 Ronald Tarquinio, while Matt Klinger dropped a tough 9-7 overtime battle at 174.
CSU then reeled off three straight wins to close the match, including a 15-3 major decision by Ron Howard at 184, a 9-3 decision by Joe Phillips at 197 and a 3-1 decision at 285 for Joe Dennis. The Panther lead, however, would be too much to overcome in the end.
“We wrestled really well tonight, “head coach Jack Effner said. “It’s been a long year, but I’m starting to see the team developing. You can see the intensity in their eyes. It’s a good sign of things to come.”
The Vikings return home next weekend as they continue the EWL slate against Bloomsburg on Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m. before welcoming Lock Haven to Woodling Gymansium on Feb. 6 beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Final Results
125 – Joe Wornoff (CSU) maj. dec. Zach Bowman (Pitt.), 12-3
133 – Mike Ciotti (Pitt.) fall David Armstrong (CSU), 4:30
141 – Geoff Moy (Pitt.) forfeit
149 – Ryan Hurley (CSU) dec. Ronald Tarquinio (Pitt.), 10-9
157 – #12 Matt Kocher (Pitt.) dec. Marcus Effner (CSU), 9-2
165 – Justin Nestor (Pitt.) fall David Gilkey (CSU), 5:39
174 – Zachariah Doll (Pitt.) dec. Matt Klinger (CSU), 9-7 OT
184 – Ron Howard (CSU) maj. dec. Eric Cassidy (Pitt.), 15-3
197 – Joe Phillips (CSU) dec. Lou Thomas (Pitt.), 9-3
285 – Joe Dennis (CSU) dec. Zach Sheaffer (Pitt), 3-1
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